Thoughts & Reactions: Garoppolo Injured as Patriots Improve to 2-0
New England Patriots improved to 2-0 with a 31-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins, but lost Jimmy Garoppolo in the process.
It was quite a first half for Jimmy Garoppolo. The New England Patriots starting quarterback went 18 of 27 for 234 yards and had three touchdown passes as the New England Patriots held on to defeat the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday.
The hot start by Garoppolo was overshadowed by a shoulder injury suffered in the second quarter. With the team up 21-0 and driving, Garoppolo was driven into the ground on his shoulder by Miami linebacker Kiko Alonzo. The third-year quarterback was escorted off the field just minutes later by the training staff and did not return.
With Garoppolo’s injury, rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett saw his first regular-season action in the NFL. The product of N.C. State finished the game completing 6 of 9 passes for 92 yards. LeGarrette Blount helped out the rookie rushing 29 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Blount picked up crucial yards late in the 4th quarter to help the Patriots milk the clock and eventually hold off the Dolphins.
My Thoughts
The Patriots offense looked great under Jimmy Garoppolo. Tight end Martellus Bennett had his best game catching the ball. He scored a touchdown on the team’s second possession and ended the game with five catches for 114 yards. Garoppolo also continued to show chemistry with wide receivers Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan. With those four players clicking in the offense, it is scary to think how the offense will look once Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski return.
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On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Chris Long has been all over the field. Long recovered a fumble and caused Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill to throw an interception to linebacker Jamie Collins late in the first half. Long was one of the only bright spots on defense however.
With a big lead it was disappointing to watch the defense allow Miami to get back in the game. The team may have been deflated due to the loss of Garoppolo, but coming close to giving up a 31-3 lead with 6:06 to play in the third quarter is unacceptable for a Bill Belichick team.
The team now just have three days to prepare for a Thursday night matchup against J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans. Brissett is expected to get his first NFL start, but the team will definitely look at veteran quarterbacks to back up the rookie.
Player reactions
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman on losing Garoppolo: “This game is a 100 percent injury rate. It’s football and everyone’s just gotta do their job a little bit better.”
Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount on his 100-yard rushing performance: “I just try my best to work hard. Make sure I seize every opportunity that I get. Do everything I can that is going to work out best for the team. And I made sure I did my job. The offensive line played amazing, they’re going to continue to do that, I’m sure. They opened up a lot of big holes for me to run through.”
Patriots safety Devin McCourty on Jacoby Brissett: “Obviously he has great ability to run and throw, but it’s his attitude. When he’s out there on the look team he’s trying to make plays. He’s trying to have a good day out there. He’s not out there as a look-squad quarterback. Same thing similar to when Jimmy was out there. They’re out there tying to make plays, trying to get better as players and it gets us all better.”
Next: New England Patriots Quarterback Options
The Patriots will be leaning on Brissett Thursday night against the Texans. It will be a tall task, but it appears the kid has the maturity and poise to deliver in any game plan drawn up by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.